young’un
In Appalachian speech, "young’un" means a child, usually your own or somebody’s kid. It’s a clipped form of "young one," said fast and plain.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
Pronunciation
[YUNG-uhn]
Welcome New Folks!
We aim to get true definitions and pronunciations for ever single word we can find. Plus real-life tales from the hills - some funny, some maybe downright wild.
Meaning & Usage
- A child (noun)
Mae:
That young’un of mine never sits still.
Earl:
That’s how you know he’s healthy.
- Affectionate reference (noun)
Ruby:
You bringin’ the young’uns to the singin’ tonight?
Estel:
Wouldn’t miss it - they love it.
other spellings: young one, youngin, young ’un, child, and kid
★ "Young’un" can sound rough on the ear, but it’s usually said with affection. It’s how mountain folks talk about children without fussin’ with fancy words. ★